Last updated: 2026-07-26

RELIABILITY SCORE: 77/100 (GOOD)

2022 Volkswagen Passat Reliability Report

Name: 2022 Volkswagen Passat
Brand: Volkswagen

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat scores 77/100 ("Good"). With 0 recalls and 11 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

45.7per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$639

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,150

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity61/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs80/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact100/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity77/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Acceptable reliability — worth considering with a pre-purchase inspection.

Top Issues to Watch

SERVICE BRAKES (3)
LANE DEPARTURE (2)
ENGINE (2)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Redesign (Year 8)

2022 is year 8 of the Eighth generation (B8).

Redesigned for the 2015 model year.
Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
8th generation Passat (US).

What this means for buyers

Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.

2015: Eighth generation (B8) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2022: This Model Year

2022 is year 8 of the Eighth generation (B8).

Should You Buy the 2022 Volkswagen Passat?

At 77/100, the 2022 Volkswagen Passat lands in "Good" territory — acceptable, but not class-leading. 2022 is year 8 of the Eighth generation (B8).

Its complaint rate of 45.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold runs above the Sedan segment average of 17.8. The most common reports involve service brakes (3).

Get a pre-purchase inspection on any used example, with extra attention to service brakes (3). An extended warranty is worth pricing out.

See also the 2021 Volkswagen Passat for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Acceptable reliability score
+Low major repair risk (9%)
+No recalls issued

Cons

−Above-average repair costs for its class
−Above-average complaint rate for Sedan
−SERVICE BRAKES: Rear brake calipers (3 complaints)

Compare 2022 Volkswagen Passat With

2022 Subaru Legacy

Reliability: 77/100

Good

2022 Genesis G80

Reliability: 70/100

Good

Common Problem Categories

Other

HIGH RISK

SERVICE BRAKES (3)
LANE DEPARTURE (2)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

No recalls are on record for the 2022 Volkswagen Passat — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

45.7

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 17.8

LowAvgHigh

High

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 4/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2022 Volkswagen Passat? Check its history first

Every 2022 Volkswagen Passat has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2022 Volkswagen Passat NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 3/5Passenger: 3/5

Rollover risk: 10.7%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Torso/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Not Available)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Volkswagen PassatRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$639

vs $526 avg for midsize cars

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.4

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Passat

$639

Category Avg

$526

All Vehicles

$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

28 MPG

Running cost: $2,800/yr

Fuel + repair

24 city / 36 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2022 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Passat 2.0L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	24	36	28	$2,150

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2022 Volkswagen Passat.

Inspect rear brake calipers for seizing and uneven pad wear
Check for excessive oil consumption by monitoring oil levels frequently
Test lane assist system for over-sensitivity and unintended lane corrections
Verify steering system for intermittent tightness during deceleration
Ensure all doors lock and unlock properly when parked

2022 Volkswagen Passat Common Problems by Component

11 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

SERVICE BRAKES (3)LANE DEPARTURE (2)ENGINE (2)STEERING (2)POWER TRAIN (1)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)

SERVICE BRAKES

3 complaints

Owners of the 2022 Volkswagen Passat frequently report issues with the vehicle's brake system, particularly involving rear brake calipers. Complaints indicate that calipers tend to seize, leading to uneven brake pad wear, often with one pad wearing down completely while others show little to no wear. This issue is reported to occur as early as 20,000 miles, with some owners experiencing repeated caliper replacements and associated rotor damage. Additionally, multiple owners describe a complete lack of wear on the front brake pads even after significant mileage, suggesting possible issues with brake force distribution. While no accidents have been reported, the potential for brake failure and the need for frequent repairs could be concerning for prospective buyers.

3 complaints total

LANE DEPARTURE

2 complaintsSafety-related

Owners of the 2022 Volkswagen Passat report issues with the lane departure system and related safety features. Complaints frequently mention that the lane assist is overly sensitive, causing the vehicle to react to road markings or tar by aggressively jerking out of the lane. This issue has been reported to occur repeatedly, with one owner noting it almost resulted in a sideswipe incident. Another owner describes a failure in the front-end brake assist system, culminating in a crash with significant front-end damage and airbag deployment at around 50,000 miles. These reports highlight potential safety implications, including loss of control and collisions.

2 complaints total1 crash

ENGINE

2 complaints

Owners report that the 2022 Volkswagen Passat with the 2.0 Turbo 4-cylinder engine frequently experiences excessive oil consumption, with some indicating a loss of about 1 quart every 1,000 to 1,500 miles. Complaints describe symptoms consistent with low tension piston rings, which could potentially lead to further engine issues. One owner mentions having to replace the oil pan, timing cover, and PCV at around 80,000 miles, suggesting potential costly repairs at higher mileages. While no safety incidents such as crashes or fires are reported, prospective buyers should be aware of this pattern of oil consumption and the associated maintenance that might be required.

2 complaints total

STEERING (2 complaints)

STEERING

2 complaints

Owners of the 2022 Volkswagen Passat report issues with the steering system, specifically mentioning that the steering tightens intermittently when decelerating between 30 - 42 mph. This symptom is described as a temporary loss of power to the steering, lasting approximately 0.7 to 1.2 seconds. One owner notes this issue occurring three times since purchasing the vehicle new, with the problem persisting despite regular maintenance checks. While no crashes or loss of vehicle control are reported, the described steering behavior may affect driver confidence. Buyers should be aware of these potential steering concerns, especially when considering vehicles with similar mileage or service history.

2 complaints total

POWER TRAIN (1 complaints)

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

2024-07-15

While driving car began to jerk and had odd smell. Stopped at a Midas to have car looked at and all of the transmission fluid leaked out. Techs at Midas state the gasket that hold the fluid in came out and caused all the fluid to leak out. Had no issues while driving previous to this, this just happened randomly in the middle of our drive. We did jot hit or run over anything and the road we were traveling on was in good paved condition.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

2021-11-15

The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was parked, all 4 doors would automatically unlock. There were no warning lights on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and diagnosed with no failure being found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90.

When Do 2022 Volkswagen Passat Problems Start?

Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.

20,000–60,000 milesService brake caliper seizing

1,000–1,500 milesExcessive oil consumption

Best & Worst Volkswagen Passat Years

Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.

Best Volkswagen Passat Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

The best Volkswagen Passat year is 2021 with a reliability score of 78/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2022 (77/100) and 2019 (77/100).

Top Pick

Good

2021

1Recalls

18Complaints

Good

2022

(Current Model)

0Recalls

11Complaints

Good

2019

1Recalls

12Complaints

Volkswagen Passat Years to Avoid

No Volkswagen Passat years are statistical outliers in our data.

All model years score consistently well. The Volkswagen Passat maintains one of the highest industry standards for long-term durability across its entire production span.

See full Volkswagen Passat years-to-avoid analysis

Volkswagen Passat Reliability Score Trend

Volkswagen Passat reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 76/100.

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Volkswagen Passat reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2018	71/100	Good
2019	77/100	Good
2020	75/100	Good
2021	78/100	Good
2022	77/100	Good

Volkswagen Passat Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2022(selected)	77/100	-1	Good	0	11
2021	78/100	+3	Good	1	18
2020	75/100	-2	Good	3	15
2019	77/100	+6	Good	1	12
2018	71/100	—	Good	4	45

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2022 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat has a "Good" reliability rating with a score of 77/100. It is reasonably reliable with 0 recalls and 11 owner complaints, though some issues have been reported.

What are the most common problems with the 2022 Volkswagen Passat?

The most commonly reported problems with the 2022 Volkswagen Passat include: SERVICE BRAKES (3 complaints), LANE DEPARTURE (2 complaints), ENGINE (2 complaints), STEERING (2 complaints), POWER TRAIN (1 complaints). These issues were identified from owner complaints analyzed by Auto Reliability Index.

How many recalls does the 2022 Volkswagen Passat have?

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat has no recalls on record, which is a positive indicator.

Is the 2022 Volkswagen Passat expensive to maintain?

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat has estimated annual repair costs of $639/year, which is $113 more than the midsize cars average of $526. With a reliability score of 77/100, some repairs may be needed, but overall ownership costs are manageable.

Don’t buy a 2022 Volkswagen Passat without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN →

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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